Project Description
The Jackson Hole Airport is located at the base of the spectacular Teton Mountains and is within the Grand Teton National Park. FORTA-FI® was used in a 1” permeable friction course (PFC) on the runway 1/19 rehabilitation project. This airport had several unique attributes that demanded a reinforced asphalt mixture, including:
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35,000 flights annually with over 300,000 enplanements
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6,450 feet (1,966m) runway elevation causes planes to land at higher speeds
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6,300 feet (1,920m) runway length is relatively short for higher speeds and larger aircraft
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Accommodates both smaller planes and larger planes such as 757’s and A320’s
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600″ (15.24 m) of snow annually
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Snow plowing has caused previous pavement to ravel
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Temperatures can swing from -40°F (-40°C) to 41 °F (5°C) in the winter months, and annually from -40°F (-40°C) winter to 104°F (40°C) summer
10-Year Update
This project was reviewed in July 2019 after ten years in service. The runway is in good condition, showing only a few minor distresses. The FORTAfied asphalt continues to provide excellent resistance to cracking in an environment with extreme temperature changes. Based on the performance of the reinforced asphalt, reconstruction isn’t planned on the runway until 2023, doubling the life-cycle of the asphalt at Jackson Hole Airport.
Key Points
- Reduced Rutting
- Reduced Cracking
- Extended Pavement Life